Demand for water bombers has ‘skyrocketed’ as Canada grapples with more intense wildfires [Video]

As Canada is again dealing with massive wildfires, the increasing severity of the natural disasters is having the knock-on effect of spiking the demand for water bomber planes — and it will be years before Canada gets its hands on a new one.

Premiers gathered in Saskatchewan this week, one of the provinces currently gripped by wildfires. They were primarily meeting to discuss major infrastructure projects, but a number of premiers talked to reporters about dealing with the wildfire situation.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, whose province has also seen thousands flee wildfires in recent weeks, mentioned that his government is waiting for an order of water bombers — but he doesn’t expect them to be delivered any time soon.

• Poor internet connection? CBC Lite is our low-bandwidth website. 

“We could use every water bomber we can get our hands on. We’re going to need more water bombers in the future,” Kinew told reporters on Monday in Saskatoon.

The Manitoba …